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SEBI’s new format for promoter group entities
- Markets regulator SEBI revised the format for disclosure of shareholding patterns of promoters and promoter group entities.
- The shareholdings of promoters and promoter group entities, which are currently collectively disclosed under table II-Statement showing a shareholding pattern of the promoter and promoter group, shall now be segregated into promoters and promoter group
State of Art Market Report 2021
- State of Art Market Report 2021, an annual global art market analysis, has been launched for the year 2021.
- According to the report, the collective turnover of Indian art sales within the public domain recorded a rise from Rs13 crore in 2000 to Rs880.9 crores in 2020 and 2020-2021 is distinguished as the best year for the Indian art auction market.
- It has been compiled by Artery India.
Rs14744 cr approved for states under ECRP-II
- The Union Health Ministry approved Rs14744.99 crore under the India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package (ECRP-II package) to all states and UTs.
- This scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme with some central sector components.
- It aims to accelerate health system preparedness for immediate responsiveness for early prevention, detection, and management.
Indigenous tech for LFP material developed
- The International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) has developed indigenous technology for the production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode material for Li-ion batteries.
- It was developed under the Technical research centre on Alternative energy materials and the know-how for the technology is available for transfer on a non-exclusive basis.
India’s first Drone forensic research centre
- The Kerala police on 13 August 2021 launched a first-of-its-kind drone forensic lab and research Centre with an aim to address the rising concerns in this regard.
- The finding of unauthorized drones and the production of aerial vehicles according to the demands of the police force to help the day-to-day policing would be conducted at the new facility.
New book on lives of domestic servants
- A book titled ”Lesser Lives: Stories of Domestic Servants in India” was launched on 13 August 2021.
- A new anthology of 11 fiction stories, talks about the spotlight on the lives of domestic help, bringing into focus the sobering realities of class and inequality prevailing in Indian homes.
- It has been edited by academics Nitin Sinha and Prabhat Kumar, and published by Pan Macmillan India.
Netflix joins hand with UNESCO
- Netflix and UNESCO have come together to celebrate India’s rich cultural heritage through the streaming platform’s popular animated series ”Mighty Little Bheem”.
- Netflix and UNESCO would come up with a series of short videos themed ‘One Country, Incredible Diversity’ that will focus on India’s cultural journey, including monuments, rituals, and festivals such as Diwali, and Holi.
Odisha announces special package for weavers
- Odisha Chief Minister announced a special package for the weavers’ community of the state affected by COVID-19.
- After agriculture, handloom is the main source of employment for the rural population in Odisha.
- 3,000 weaver families would be provided with House-cum-Work shed on a priority basis under the special package.
- Interest-free loans would be provided of up to Rs50,000 to the weavers.
CAI lowers estimates cotton crop for 2020-21
- The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has reduced cotton crop forecast by 1.50 lakh bales in its July estimate for 2020-21, beginning October, to 354.50 lakh bales compared to the previous month.
- The total cotton production in 2019-20 (October 2019-September 2020) had stood at 360 lakh bales.
- CAI earlier estimated the total cotton supply during October 2020-July 2021 at 482.61 lakh bales.
Maharashtra e-crop survey launched
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray launched the e-crop survey initiative which will become effective in Maharashtra from August 15, 2021.
- The project is jointly implemented by the departments of revenue and agriculture along with the Tata Trust.
- The survey app is an initiative to reduce the hardships of the farmers as it would provide them crop-related information without hassles.
APEDA exports 5 varieties of apples to Bahrain
- APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) in collaboration with Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation Ltd (HPMC) exported the first consignment consisting of five unique varieties of apples to Bahrain on 13 August 2021.
- The varieties were Royal Delicious, Dark Baron Gala, Scarlet Spur, Red Velox, and Golden Delicious.
World Organ Donation Day: 13 August
- World Organ Donation Day is observed on August 13 every year to spread awareness about the importance of organ donation.
- The first-ever successful living donor organ transplant was done in 1954 in the United States.
- India has its own organ donation day that is observed on November 27 each year.
- There are two forms of organ donation, live donation and cadaver donation.
Retail inflation eases to 5.59% in July
- Retail inflation eased significantly to 5.59 percent in July 2021 from 6.26 percent in June 2021 as food prices dropped.
- The fall in Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation was in sharp contrast to May 2021, when it had risen sharply to 6.30 percent due to supply chain disruption.
- Food inflation for July 2021 fell to 3.96 per cent from 5.15 per cent in June 2021.
Woolly mammoth’s lifetime mileage found
- Scientists have discovered a 17,000-year-old woolly mammoth’s massive lifetime mileage through its tusks.
- The huge beast was a long-distance wanderer, walking the equivalent of twice around the world during a life lasting 28 years.
- The mammoth they studied probably walked around 70,000 kilometres (43,500 miles).
Royal Enfield CEO Vinod K Dasari steps down
- The CEO of bike manufacturer Royal Enfield, Vinod K Dasari, has stepped down from his role at the helm of the company.
- Dasari also resigned from his role as a Director in parent company Eicher Motors.
- Eicher Motors has approved the appointment of B. Govindarajan as Executive Director of Royal Enfield – with effect from August 18- subject to the Companies Act, 2013.
RBI cancels licence of Maharashtra-based bank
- RBI has canceled the licence of Karnala Nagari Sahakari Bank, Panvel in Maharashtra for not having adequate capital and being unable to pay its present depositors in full.
- The bank ceased to carry on banking business with effect from the close of business on 13 Aug’21.
- 95% of the depositors will receive full amounts from Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).
India now has an NFT platform for cricket fans
- Digital collectibles platform Rario has announced a partnership with blockchain firm Polygon, to launch a non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace for cricket fans.
- It has also partnered with cricketers like Zaheer Khan and South African Faf Du Plesis, presumably to create NFTs that are built around these players.
- It is the world’s first officially licensed cricket NFT platform in the world.
RuPay launches campaign to encourage payments
- RuPay has launched a strategic campaign to promote and encourage contactless payments among customers amid these unpredictable times.
- This was announced by the National Payments Corporation of India.
- RuPay is also ready with RuPay On-The-Go Wearable technology.
- Also, customers can now avail RuPay Autopay facility (provided by certified banks) to perform convenient touch-free transactions.
News Broadcasters Association renamed
- The News Broadcasters Association (NBA) has decided to change its name to News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA).
- The News Broadcasters Association is a private association of different current affairs and news television broadcasters in India.
- It was established by leading Indian news broadcasters on 3 July 2007.
- Rajat Sharma is its current President.
IFFCO joins hands with IIT-Delhi
- Indian Farmers Fertilizer Co-operative Ltd (IFFCO) has tied up with IIT Delhi to do joint research on agricultural technological projects, and promote precision farming.
- IFFCO’s research and development unit, Nano Biotechnology Research Centre (NBRC) will promote research consultancy, knowledge transfer, and collaborative projects.
- IFFCO was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Delhi.
Pakistan Independence Day: 14 August
- Pakistan celebrated its 75th Independence Day on 14 August 2021.
- The Indian Independence Act, 1947, gave birth to two sovereign countries, India and Pakistan, on August 15, 1947.
- Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of British India and the first Governor-General of the Dominion of India, transferred the power of governance of Pakistan to Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in Karachi on August 14, 1947.
Unmukt Chand announces retirement
- Delhi batsman Unmukt Chand, who shot to prominence by being the 2012 U-19 World Cup-winning captain, has announced his retirement from cricket in India.
- Chand had made an unbeaten 111, leading a victory over Australia in the 2012 U-19 World Cup final in Townsville, Australia.
- He had represented Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.
Indian Navy takes part in SEACAT exercise
- The Indian Navy demonstrated its maritime maneuvers in U.S. Navy-led Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) military exercise in Singapore, in August 2021.
- The military exercise also included navies of 20 other partner nations as well.
- Nations like Australia, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam took part in SEACAT.
CCI approves Zomato’s investment in Grofers
- Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Zomato’s request to invest in the online grocery platform Grofers India and its wholesale entity Hands on Trades.
- It will acquire approximately a 9.3% stake in the firms.
- Zomato is also finalizing a $100 million investment in the e-grocer at a valuation of $1 billion.
Ola gets CCI nod for investments by Temasek
- Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved investments worth $500 million in Ola by Temasek, Warburg Pincus, and its founder Bhavish Aggarwal.
- The online platform currently offers cab-hailing services in India, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.
- This is among the largest investments in the Indian consumer internet space by these funds.
Adi Godrej to resign as GIL Chairman
- Industrialist Adi Godrej will step down as Chairman of Godrej Industries Ltd (GIL) after more than four decades at the helm.
- He will also step down as a Director of the company, with effect from 1 October 2021.
- Nadir Godrej, younger brother of Adi Godrej, and currently Managing Director of GIL, will take over as Chairman and Managing Director on 1 October 2021.
NDMC launches ‘Cleancity’ app
- North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) has launched ‘Cleancity’.
- It is a mobile-driven application that will help residents living in that area to register complaints regarding picking up garbage in that area.
- With the help of this app citizens can see the GPS location of garbage-lifting vehicles, register their complaints, and give suggestions to improve the services.
BPCL launches doorstep delivery of diesel
- Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has launched door-to-door delivery of diesel to meet the growing demand.
- The company will deliver the fuel through 15 mobile bowsers and 9 Jerry can facilities in different corners of the eastern region.
- Door-to-door delivery through mobile dispensers has resulted in the commissioning of 1588 FuelKarts and 129 FuelEnts over the past two years.
Four wetlands get recognition as Ramsar sites
- Four more wetlands from India get recognition from the Ramsar Secretariat as Ramsar sites.
- These sites are Thol and Wadhwana from Gujarat and Sultanpur and Bhindawas from Haryana.
- With this, the number of Ramsar sites in India is 46 and the surface area covered by these sites is now 1,83,322 hectares.
- This is Haryana’s first Ramsar site.
2 new judges were sworn in at Kerala High Court
- Advocates Viju Abraham and C.P. Mohammed Nias were sworn in as Additional Judges in the Kerala High Court on 13 Aug’21.
- Chief Justice S Manikumar administered the oath for both the newly appointed Judges.
- The President of India had earlier notified the appointment of the said Advocates as Additional Judges of High Court for a period of two years with effect from the date they assume charge.
Rita Debnath of Tripura Police awarded
- Women Sub-Inspector Rita Debnath of Tripura Police has been awarded the ‘Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation’ for the year 2021.
- The list of awardees was announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs on 12 August 2021.
- The medal for the year 2021 has been awarded to 152 police personnel all over the country including 28 women police officers.
Assam passes Cattle Preservation Bill, 2021
- The Assam Assembly has passed the Cattle Preservation Bill, 2021.
- It is aimed at regulating slaughter, consumption, and transportation of cattle in the state.
- It prohibits the sale and purchase of beef in areas inhabited by non-beef-eating communities and within a radius of 5 km of a temple or a satra (Vaishnavite monastery).
Patriots’ Day is celebrated in Manipur
- In Manipur, Patriots’ Day, in memory of those heroes who sacrificed their lives in the Anglo-Manipur War, 1891, was observed across the state on 13 August 2021.
- Governor Ganga Prasad Chaurasia inaugurated the Memorial Complex dedicated to the exiled martyrs at Bir Tikendrajit Park, Imphal.
- The names of those heroes are engraved on the Memorial Stone unveiled on the same day.
Petroleum Minister felicitates 11 players
- Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri on 13 August 2021 felicitated the eleven players, who were part of the Bronze medal winning men’s hockey team at Tokyo Olympics.
- These players are Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) Hockey players who are employees of various public sector companies of the Ministry.
- He announced a reward of 15 lakh rupees to each of the 11 players.
Bangladesh to sign MoU with China
- The government of Bangladesh will sign an MoU for the co-production of the COVID 19 vaccine with China on 16 August 2021.
- The MoU will be signed between the Chinese company Sinopharm and the local company Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
- Incepta will bring in the material in bulk from China and undertake the bottling, labeling and finishing of the vaccine locally.
Tourism Ministry launches 12 episodes
- Tourism Ministry in collaboration with the Association of Indian Universities launched a series of 12 episodes on 14 Aug’21.
- Each of the 12 episodes will focus on diverse themes related to cultural heritage of India.
- This will take the participants on a virtual journey of Incredible India.
- The inauguration programme featured live streaming of a 20 minutes film titled India@75 A Journey.
Nasal vaccine approved for 2nd, 3rd trials
- The first nasal COVID-19 vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech has got regulatory approval for phase second and third trials.
- This is the first of its kind COVID-19 jab to undergo human clinical trials in India.
- The phase one clinical trial has been completed in the age groups ranging from 18 to 60 years.
- The vaccine was found to be safe, immunogenic, and well-tolerated in the studies.
IIT Bombay develops a method using infra-red
- IIT Bombay has developed a novel method using infra-red technology to detect which patients are more at risk of becoming severely ill from COVID-19.
- There is a correlation between a person’s blood chemical signature and becoming severely unwell with COVID-19.
- The study was primarily funded by India’s Science and Engineering Research Board, the government of India.
Rajnath Singh launches series of events
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 13 August 2021 launched a series of major events to mark the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence being celebrated as Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
- The events include hoisting of the national flag at 75 places, army expedition to 75 mountain passes, etc.
- A book ‘Deeds of Gallantry’, commemorating India’s victory in the 1971 war, was also unveiled.
Partition Horrors Remembrance Day: 14 August
- PM Narendra Modi has announced that August 14 will be observed as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day across the country to remember the “struggles and sacrifices of our people”.
- Under a plan released by India’s last viceroy Lord Mountbatten on the country’s independence from the British on June 3, 1947, it was announced that India would be splitting into two nations after its independence.